Got my esKaBar...not sure how i feel.

G

Gonzzo

Joined
Nov 19, 2008
Messages
33
Well,

My EsKaBar was waiting for me when i got home. After tearing the package open like a 6yr old at X-mass i gave it the once over.

First thing noticed was the RATTLE!!!, this thing sound like a pissed off diamodback when it is sheathed. Not sure how or if there is a cure, it even ratles in my bk-11 sheath!, the 11 only rattles in the 14 sheath, weird.

Second thing noticed, there where some imperfections on the coating on the blade and handle, granted, the knife is a great buy @ $30, still, not sure how i feel about that.

Third thing noticed, the handle isn't ALL that, i mean it is nice but not worth the two previously noticed items, imo. I do have smaller hands so the 11 is not that small a fit.

Over all, i'm sorry to say that i'm on the fence on this purchase.

I will say this, i'm gonna end up looking real weird with all these bald spots all over me, i just sharpened both my neckers(EsKaBar is a necker, isn't it?)and they are FUGLY sharp!!!...

Thanks for reading.

Gonzzo.
 
i had the same issue with the sheath but mine doesnt rattle in my bk11 sheath.the finish on mine is flawless.you mustve just gotten a rough one,but youll like it more after youve used it a little and gotten used to the handle.its really a great knife.
 
cord wrap the handle - it made a world of difference on my Izula.
unfortunately for me, my BK14 is supposed to be here tomorrow afternoon and I leave town at 6 AM... :(
 
I think we've all purchased things that did'nt live up to our expectations. It still happens to me from time to time. When you can't handle a particular knife before you purchase it you take that risk. I've run into problems with smaller knives that don't fit my larger hand very well and end up having to replace the handles with aftermarket pieces. Another thing is sheaths, particularly with knife makers who don't produce them, leaving you with the task of searching for one. So, I understand what frustration is from many different angles. Good luck :thumbup:!
 
My ESKABAR rattles in my sheath a well. I've been wearing it IWB on my right, just behind my cell. No rattle there, but there's pressure against it. I para'd the handles, and made a good deal of difference in the grip, obviously, and there are several styles you can do. As far as the finish is concerned, is it a wife, mistress, or hooker in terms of use? If you're unsatisfied, pm me and we can work something out. I need one for my kid. Best of luck, brother. Moose
 
Hey Gonzzo, what did you own/use previously before the ESKABAR? Did you have either the becker necker or Izula?

I owned an Izula first, and I am not entirely sold on the ESKABAR myself. It is a better slicer, but my Izula is a more comfortable user after giving it some time in the EDC rotation.
 
Mine rattles as well,was disappointed with it and necker until I thinned the edges on the lansky. Going to fit slabs to mine,don't trust the cord wrap.
 
i took the inner cap seal off a can of "monster soda" (you know the ones, metal cap, metal can + nice TOUGH piece of plastic. shaped it so it would slide in, and voila. rattle pretty much gone. will experiment a bit with the method, but so far, so good.

odd thing, i've done the exact same shim trick on a number of other knife sheaths (like $$$ Fallknivens) because of little issues. nothing is perfect. for $30, it would be nice if it was, but well, it's a HELL of a knive for $30. then again, i do have $8 mora type knives with pouch sheaths, and the fit there is superb.

as with the ESEE knives, i soon expect a lot of interest in after market custom inexpensive kydex snap and click sheaths with integral pants clips, and other doodads.

surface imperfections? i had a couple raised dots on one - "speckle dots" from spraying i imagine. couple seconds with a scotch pride pad cured that good. some field work and a round of sharpening will make it into a user, not a pretty safe queen.

now, i need to source some micarta, just cuz :> i'm really good at cord wraps, but well, micarta has nice heft.


Bladite
 
I'm not sure if this relates to surface imperfections ,but mine has striations from being stamped(?) out. Can't see 'em unless you strip the finish,and since a new finish is a can of krylon away it doesn't matter. I've decided I like the BK14 handle shape myself,working on wood slabs now,someday might go for micarta.
 
TWBryan said:
I'm not sure if this relates to surface imperfections ,but mine has striations from being stamped(?) out. Can't see 'em unless you strip the finish,and since a new finish is a can of krylon away it doesn't matter. I've decided I like the BK14 handle shape myself,working on wood slabs now,someday might go for micarta.
Click to expand...

i thought they were laser (or water cut), not stamped (too thick), will have to ask the Toooj Meister (hey, get back here! :>) and see what's up.

mmm, i could/should strip one of these. would rather have it OD, or something. though i was thinking to use Duracoat (to practice)


Bladite
 
Tried duracoat once,not too impressed. Then again I was fighting with a cheap air brush every step of the way....
 
All right guys, here's the pooh bah:

1) The sheath is being re-designed to change the insert. Remember the squared off Tanto blade shape of the present day insert? That blade is being deep 6'd so the new insert will follow the drop point blade shape of the 11/14s. There will be much less rattle with the new design.
2) The blades are laser cut and it is the pulse striations that you see, not blanking breakage. We could haft the striations away and add $10 to the retail cost....or just powder coat over them and still have the same performance.Safe queens or users. I know Ethan opts for the latter.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,


Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
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Gonzzo said:
Well,

My EsKaBar was waiting for me when i got home. After tearing the package open like a 6yr old at X-mass i gave it the once over.

First thing noticed was the RATTLE!!!, this thing sound like a pissed off diamodback when it is sheathed. Not sure how or if there is a cure, it even ratles in my bk-11 sheath!, the 11 only rattles in the 14 sheath, weird.
Click to expand...

Had a similar issue w/ my BK-11. I cut about a 1" square off an old bike inner tube and glued that just inside the throat of the sheath. Rattle eliminated at a cost of nada.
 
man feels like the forums coming around again, I had to search and read the archives to get this sorta warm and fuzzy feeling:D

toooj, I'm with Ethan on this one for sure, lets stay with the user versions..

should I wait a while til the sheath is re-designed before I get one, or is this going to be a while..

was it possible to have addressed the issue in QC before release?

thanks,

EDIT: just a thought, squirt silicone in sheath, apply vaseline on blade, insert, let dry, remove, clean blade, done deal. ;)
 
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Well,now I know what made the marks. As I said it doesn't matter I like users that have function as a priority,looks don't matter.
 
LastDaze,

We are working on it now. I expect the prototypes before the end of October. If everything is okay, then production before the end of the year. We will have to sort through the inventory of old style sheaths but the BK-11/14s move very quickly.
The insert shape was not a QC issue, it was to anticipate another blade shape that eventually got rejected.

Sorry for my extented absence; we have been swamped at KA-BAR the last several months putting the final touches to next year's line up. Some very neat things ....
Hope this all helps.


Best Regards,


Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
Toooj said:
LastDaze,

We are working on it now. I expect the prototypes before the end of October. If everything is okay, then production before the end of the year. We will have to sort through the inventory of old style sheaths but the BK-11/14s move very quickly.
The insert shape was not a QC issue, it was to anticipate another blade shape that eventually got rejected.

Sorry for my extented absence; we have been swamped at KA-BAR the last several months putting the final touches to next year's line up. Some very neat things ....
Hope this all helps.


Best Regards,


Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
Click to expand...

I always wondered about the tanto shape of the BK-11 sheath not matching the BK-11. Now I know :)
Mine never had any rattling, but it had serious fit issues that caused blade rolling every time I sheathed/un-sheathed the knife (even when a lot of care was put into putting the pressure on the spine side). Glad to see this issue will be resolved for future buyers I guess :o
 
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Toooj,

I have a BK11 and BK14. Will I be able to buy these new sheaths from Ka-Bar, or a reseller like Tomar?
 
Got one from ebay last week. Very good knife for this price and it will be my EDC for a long time. The sheath suck... period. Blade is nice & compact but sheath is too big and too ugly. So, I send it for custom kydex sheath.
In my opinion, Becker knife want to cut down cost so they made one sheath fits all.
 
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